Public transport plays key role in response to fuel insecurity

Public transport providers are seeing an increase in patronage as New Zealanders choose a more affordable way to get to work and school amid global fuel challenges.

LGNZ Regional Sector Chair Dr Deon Swiggs said public transport has a huge role to play in supporting our economy.

“Public transport is a critical piece of national infrastructure, particularly during periods of fuel uncertainty. Buses, trains and ferries can move more people using less fuel than private vehicles,” Chair Swiggs said.

“We expect increased public transport use as fuel costs rise, and we’ve already heard from Public Transport Authorities around the country that patronage is reaching record highs in some places.”

In Auckland, passenger numbers were seven percent higher last Tuesday than the previous week, the highest they have been since 2019. In that same period, public transport in Canterbury saw a 2.25% increase.

“This reinforces the importance of councils continuing to provide affordable, reliable alternatives that communities can readily switch to when needed.”

“We know that the Government is considering options to address fuel insecurity, and public transport is a critical part of that. Public transport gets people from A to B en masse and our public transport authorities met with the government on Monday to reassure them that we have capacity to take on more passengers. They also spoke about prioritising public transport as an essential service should our fuel situation change.

“Cities and businesses have slowly bounced back in the years since the Covid 19 pandemic. Encouraging public transport would limit the fuel crisis’ impact on the economy and productivity by ensuring workers who cannot work from home continue to deliver important services.

“With many Public Transport Authorities having invested in electric fleets in recent years, this is an opportunity to leverage that investment,” Chair Swiggs said.